2. In the General Advertiser of 23 Aug., this letter was introduced by the following passage: “The following are
the copies of Letters from a distinguished AMERICAN, occasioned by the perusal of
'Cool Thoughts on American Independence.'” In the General Advertiser of 16 Aug. 1782, however, there had been a much more detailed announcement, in the
form of a letter, of the “Letters” forthcoming publication. The author, presumably
Edmund Jenings, noted that the letters, which were “of no common cast,” had been written prior to the fall of the North ministry in March 1782 in
the hope of persuading North to open peace negotiations. The writer then pointed to
the recent assumption of power by Lord Shelburne that “has rendered it a matter of
considerable doubt whether the frantic struggle to preclude America from the acquisition of peace, and from the enjoyment of independence, will not be
speedily revived, must give particular propriety to the publication of these letters.
They are written by an American pre-eminent in virtue, experience, and understanding; and of such consequence, at this moment in Europe, that I dare affirm (and I would pledge my
life upon the truth of the assertion) that when the Minister of this country shall
step forward upon an open, just, and honourable ground, with propositions for a fair and lasting peace, he will find him one of the most willing and one of the most able
to accelerate its accomplishment.”

The 16 Aug. letter justifies the publication of the “Letters from a Distinguished
American” in mid-1782 and relates them directly to the peace process, but does not
fully explain the apprehensions of those wishing to see substantive negotiations begin
at once. The fall of the North ministry in March 1782 and its replacement by a new
government under the Marquis of Rockingham brought preparations for the inevitable
peace negotiations. A rivalry soon developed, however, between Lord Shelburne and
Charles James Fox over who would direct the negotiations and resulted in both men
sending agents to France to open talks with Benjamin Franklin. This posed a problem
because Shelburne had long favored some sort of Anglo-American union that would leave
the Americans short of independence, while Fox had consistently favored independence.
Rockingham's death in July 1782 brought a new ministry controlled by Shelburne, and
Fox's departure from the cabinet. Since Shelburne would now preside over the negotiations
there was concern, unwarranted as it turned out, that he would return to the old shibboleth
of reconciliation (Morris, Peacemakers, p. 257–286). The “Letters from a Distinguished American” thus were intended to convince
Shelburne that such a course was impossible.